Ek Tha Tiger Movie Review - III

Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Kabir Khan
Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey, Girish Karnad, Roshan Sheth
Genre: Romance- Thriller
Ratings : Superb

by Bhawana Somaaya

Story:
In the dark world of intelligence and espionage many secrets are stored for security but some escape the files and become legends. Tiger (Salman Khan works for Research and Analysis Wing, India’s external intelligence agency and is always trotting the globe on assignments. On one such mission Tiger meets Zoya and what follows is a tumultuous journey watched and followed by two nations.

What works about the film:
Everything: from the opening frame showcasing credit titles against the back drop of Turkey to the closing shot freezing on a Black & White frame, writer -director Kabir Khan travels his audience through unfamiliar path and constantly surprises them.
There is not a dull moment in the film and for this the credit goes to the writers-Nilesh Mishra and Kabir Khan. The plot, characters and dialogues are completely believable.
The film has all the twists and turns necessary for a thriller and is ably aided by all the technical departments. Julius Packiam’s background score is seductively upbeat even though it has a striking resemblance with the background score of Akhtar’s Don.
Rameshwar Bhagwat’s editing is razor sharp and action director Conrad Palmisano conceives fearless, magical moments on screen. Aseem Mishra’s cinematography captures blue seas, brown mountains, orange skyline, magnificent architecture and a gorgeous star pair!
It is a treat to watch virgin locations like Turkey, Canada, Cuba as part of narrative and not just for song and dance. Interestingly even the choreography and the songs are in harmony with the story. Special mention must be made of Katrina’s costume by Alvira Agnihotri and the vibrant production design.

Performances:
To all those who have complained that Salman Khan never breaks away from his star image, watch the actor play a RAW agent with sincerity and restrain. He is tough when on a mission, awkward when he is ogled by neighbours, attentive when with his senior, endearing in romantic scenes involving Katrina, anguished when betrayed and fearless when courting danger. Tiger alias Rathore Singh is a character suiting Salman’s age and image!
Katrina Kaif always underplays and that is her strength as an actor. She surprised everybody in New York and Rajneeti and Ek Tha Tiger is one more feather in her colourful cap. As Zoya she is mysterious and alluring and manages to affect you in all her important scenes.

What does not work:
Very small things: There is no explanation about what happens to Roshan Sheth and the Ranvir Shorey and Girish Karnad’s premise of disagreement is unconvincing.

What’s special:
The action sequences are majestic, that Kabir Khan dares to unfold a story untold so far, Salman Khan and most important, the politics of the film! The message was infallible in Veer Zaara and perfect now and both these films are produced by YR Films.

Verdict:
It guarantees a blockbuster opening and house full running for three weeks all over India in single screens, multiplexes and abroad.

bhawanasomaaya@gmail.com
www.bhawanasomaaya.com

@BhawanaSomaaya

Man, he is Salman (the Hindu Interview)

It is easier to mock him from the pedestal of logic, but there is more to Salman Khan than unabashed cockiness and loyal fan following, finds Anuj Kumar

As one queues up to have an interaction with Salman Khan in a New Delhi hotel; the atmosphere is heavy with mystery. It is a queue of select few but overshadowed by Salman’s robust retinue. Strange directions are coming from the den. Photography is prohibited; the hosts of a radio show are told that both of them can’t interview him. Their reasonable plea that they are co-hosts of a popular show and that the format demands the presence of both of them doesn’t cut any ice. As one get past characters, somebody whispers in the ear that your time is 10 minutes and it will be measured by a stop watch. A daily job suddenly seems as challenging as facing a tiger. Well, Ek Tha Tiger is indeed on top of the mind.

As one settles on the couch, Salman is busy with some number crunching over phone. “These are the numbers of people who showed up at Being Human’s camp for detecting cataract and glaucoma today in Mumbai. The camp was for the daily wagers in the film industry. We intend to hold such a camp for people in the media as well who don’t get health benefits but we will do it after Ek Tha Tiger gets at least into its third week. Otherwise, the media might see publicity in it,” explains Salman making one realise that he has more serious things to do than this interview.

It is a different side of him then why does he hold such disdain for the media? “There is no sarcasm. I only fear good intentions should not be misrepresented. My father organises these camps with doctors in various places throughout the year. Around 50 patients suffering from eye problems to heart diseases are attended to daily. My role is to meet local NGOs and ask them if they need some funding. And it usually happens when I travel to different cities during a film’s promotion. I don’t like interviews. They don’t matter to me at all. My audience knows the film is releasing on August 15 and they will come to watch it. To me such visits are an excuse to touch base with reality. It tells you not to be proud, there is a lot of suffering around you.”

Remind him that interviews are also about discussing cinematic and acting styles and Salman comes up with a remarkable confession. “It is not such a great film that you make a thesis out of it. It is not made by some Einstein. It is just an entertaining film.” His political incorrectness is legendary. A few minutes back director Kabir Khan told this journalist that Ek Tha Tiger is his most political film if somebody cares to see beyond the entertainment value on the surface. Salman, obviously, doesn’t see any political underpinning. “Kabir might have seen it! To me the conflict is that should a RAW agent love and have family. If you are making a story about the country, the country should be above love but if you are making a love story then love should be above the country,” the actor seems to have seen his own logic in the subject.

But you can’t counter him for his current box office record shows that he knows what his audience want. Still one is tempted to ask him if he sees Bodyguard andReady as great cinema. “It is great cinema,” he thunders. “If a boy eats food and drinks milk because of Bodyguard I think it is great cinema. If a film brings a smile on the face of the kids and encourages youngsters to go to gym then it is great cinema. It is better than films from where you return depressed. It is better than films made just for the critics to show how great a filmmaker you are. I find it ridiculous. My biggest award is when a mother says that my son doesn’t eat food till he listens to your songs. This award is bigger than any national award.”

Still considering his popularity his films don’t say much. “They do say. My agenda is of black and white, right and wrong. Yeh hero hai aur yeh villain hai.Chulbul Pandey is grey but even in that shade there is white. Because the money that he takes as bribe is used for a good cause. He is a modern honest man. I don’t consider myself as somebody special. I am a common man, who doesn’t believe in making shocking statements. My dialogues have honesty. Lines likemujh par ye ehsaan karna…reminds you that the person who is doing you a favour is actually taking advantage of you. When I say maine ek baar jo commitment kar di, it establishes the value of word in today’s day and age. All my fans get it right, only the media doesn’t get it. Why?” The sarcasm returns in Salman’s voice.

Of late he has turned a lot more protective of his co-stars even in public space. These days he could be seen answering on behalf of his Ek Tha Tiger co-star Katrina Kaif in TV interviews. “If you ask my co-star, whom I like so much, something in Hindi, a language she can speak but is not conversant in, then you should not mind if I answer on her behalf. I know she can defend herself. It is just because of the language. Many times she doesn’t get the right words.” He comments on the dresses as well. “As the hero of the film if I find she is not looking good, I register my opinion. If I don’t like the colour of the outfit, I point out, if I don’t like the fitting I say it and if I find it too revealing I object. I do it with my mother as well. You like it or not it is up to you but when you ask how I am looking then you should have the guts to heed the advice of somebody who cares for you. I believe you should eat food of your choice but should dress up according to the choice of somebody you like,” he says forcefully.

One has gone well past the stipulated time and Tiger doesn’t seem to be minding the presence.

Considering he is sharing space with the likes of Girish Karnad and Roshan Seth, did he work on his acting style? “I think they have taken admission to my school. The student is teaching the principal,” he quips.

Is it arrogance? “No, it is clarity. From Radhey to Chulbul Pandey, I want to see myself as a hero. I don’t want to play a common man, journalist or a school teacher. Right now the genre is action but the heroism could come through romance and drama as well. Sooraj Barjatya has offered me something different.” It seems the fear of failure has vanished from his dictionary. “Not at all. It is just that as long as my choice is matching with the choice of the audience nobody can find fault with what I am doing. One day I will decide to show them something else. If it works fine otherwise I will return to action.”

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3775395.ece

Salman Khan: Bhai please thoda sa gaur farmaiye

by Piyush Dewan from Nacchgaana

I enjoyed Ek Tha Tiger. I am enjoying the fact that it may do great business and break records. I liked the effort and thought behind the movie- also the finesse and the restrained humor. Of screen I enjoyed Salman’s promotional interviews and his trips to TV (Jhalak Dikhlaaja might be epic too). But But But… I am not very happy.

I think Salman Khan is the best actor in India today. Yes actor. I have seen almost all his films and all the moments he creates on screen- his samajh, his pakad, his inventiveness, his confidence, his presence- all of it is unparalleled. But very few people are going to agree with me on this. Very few will agree with me objectively- mann se kaafi fans maan lenge yeh baat.

There are a few things that Salman said recently that I didn’t like at all-
1. I will do only action films
2. I don’t know which film to do next
3. It is sad that no film has broken 3 Idiots record in the last 3 years
4. Business is growing- screens are being added- collections are becoming more transparent
5. It is all black and white for me- emotion chalta hai ya nahin chalta hai. It is either good or bad.
6. I will always be larger than life- this is how I am.

Salman is stuck in a comfort zone now. And now that he has achieved a Demi-God Bhai status everywhere- in the industry too- his friends will not even try to break that comfort zone.

The other day I was watching Guide. I always wanted Salman to do a film like it. Dev Anand was hardly an actor but he still did it. Salman is far better in my opinion- but he won’t touch a story like Guide. I want him to do a film like Kabhie Kabhie. I want him to do a film like Anand. I want him to do a film like Mausam (old one), a film like Shakti, a film like Namkeen too. A film like Masoom he has already done- Jab Pyaar Kisi se Hota hai- and it is one of my fav Salman films

But he is now stuck in that high stakes business game where he will only do films that larger than life. I understand all his points about how he needs to please his fans. But bhai I am also your fan. 2 saal mein ek baar try to maaro. After this current streak of 5 solo blockbusters he is in a state to dictate, in a state to command. Ek aisi film bana do jo Anurag Kashyap so bata de ki honest aur acchi stories kya hoti hain. Ek aisi film jo Gulzar ko apne din yaad dila de. Ek aisi film jo yeh Alternate Cinema ke champions bane jo phirte hain un hein realize kara dein ki woh chutiye hain aur kuch nahin. Ek aisi film kar do bhai.

Yes do Dabangg, do Ek Tha Tiger- maybe also do a No Entry or a Kick. No worries. I enjoy them too. But saal mein ek chhoti se film so sirf ek kahaani ho- aur kuch nahin- with no worries about the box office- no worries about how fans would react- I want even the Anupama Chopra’s to take you seriously (and not treat you just as an experience). SHe is not worth it I know- but still… Once in a while do a film jis mein shor machane ka mann na kare. Cheekhne ka mann na kare. Seeti Bajane ka khayal bhi na aaye dimaag mein.

Ek Hai 'Ek Tha Tiger'

by Piyush Diwan from Naachgaana

‘Ek Tha Tiger’ had to pay this price. The makers had to decide whether to get a new unheard of opening day record, or whether to have a solid first 4-5 day business with minimal day wise drops. In other words they had to decide between a 15th Aug release, or a 17th Aug release. They opted for the former.

After showing the world what the current capacity to collect is on a single day by raking in 32 Cr on the first day, ETT dropped massively on Day 2 and collected just 15Cr. Today on its third day, it might do a bit lower- maybe a 13 Cr- or maybe just about the same- a 14-15Cr.

Now when the makers decided to opt for the unheard of first day record, this kind of a apparent timid response on the next 2 week days was surely not unexpected. But obviously the makers decided to face the backlash of this seemingly alarming drop from all over- naysayers, disbelievers, haters, and also idealists (Who think that getting a 20Cr on a weekday is Halwa).

So what is the reason for this drop? It is almost condescending when I write it out here in plain English like a wise elderly fellow telling a five year old that the world is round.

People are just waiting for the weekend to watch the film. That’s it.

I saw it FDFS. I am sure many of the other fans too watched it on the first day. Now the people who want to watch the movie will anyway watch it, never mind the reviews (which aren’t bad actually). They are just waiting for Saturday and Sunday to come. I will also watch it again on either Sunday or Monday (didn’t even think of watching it yesterday or today). Why should I?

The business would again reach 20 plus tomorrow and maybe touch 25 on Sunday. Eid is something which is tough to predict. Anyway the film will cross the 100 Cr halo figure before Eid arrives on Monday.

But But But… this is not the only point I am trying to make here. Two more- please bear with me.

1. Any rational observer of the Indian Box office scenario today will be able to tell you that the movie going audience is finite. It might be anything between 2-4 Cr people- hard to be exact about such things. I can make 10 different kind of calculations and arrive at 10 different numbers for it- but most of them would be in this range. But the number isn’t important to the point I intend to make. For big movies, it is all about how much of this audience can you pull in and in what manner. Some will pull all of them in 1 week. Some in 2. Some in 3. Some in 4. Some never. In fact most never. In fact all never except a 3 Idiots.

And repeat viewings depend on the genre as well as the content of the film. 3 Idiots managed maximum repeat viewings- again hard to put a number to it- but could be anywhere between 10-15 percent. The fact that it almost had 4 open weeks also helped. But essentially it was a movie that made everyone happy- everyone- I mean every every one. Dada Daadi, Papa, Mummy, Son, Daughter, Uncle, Aunty, Kuttas- everyone. An action film- however well made cannot make all the age-groups happy.

So while Ek Tha Tiger does about 125 Cr in first 6 days and pulls in almost half of the movie going audience- it will find it tough to get that repeat viewings from the average cine goer as a) It is not as good as 3 Idiots b) It is not the most audience friendly genre c) It has Salman Khan who repels a section of the crowd who will never believe in him even if he gives them a 3 Idiots. Frankly after having seen Ek Tha Tiger, if Aamir or SRK would have been in place of ETT it would have got a much better response on facebook at least (if not on the BO).

2. Why Salman Khan is GOD at the Box Office Today:

Huh 33 Cr haan. No big deal. It is just 100 percent collection on 1 day- Amitabh Bachchan did it for four weeks. Again it is almost condescending when I write it out here in plain English like a wise elderly fellow telling a five year old that the world is round.

In 1970s there were 150-250 prints of a movie released. All single screens with 4 shows a day. So 250*4=1000 shows a day all over India. So 7000 shows in one week- with no piracy- no twitter- no facebook- no mobile phone- almost no ways to spread the word of mouth- except- the word of mouth only. So people used to be excited for a movie and didn’t get tickets for days- big movies and stars that is. Today ETT had 1125 shows on the first day in Mumbai only. Baaki likhoon kya, ki khud samajh gaye?

Kehne ka matlab yeh hai- har era ke apne challenges, apne faayde, aur apne quirks hote hain. Is liye stop comparing stars across generations. Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan , Salman Khan, aur Shah Rukh Khan megastars hain- aur koi yeh baat nahin badal sakta.

Kahan se shuru kiya tha, aur kahan pahunch gaya- I feel like Anurag Kashyap of Gulal! 

Ek Tha Tiger Movie Review

by Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama

The Hindi film industry is not new to espionage themes. Rather, the secret agent thrillers date back to the 60s and 70s. Recall films like ANKHEN, INTERNATIONAL CROOK, FARZ, SPY IN ROME, JEWEL THIEF, also THE GREAT GAMBLER, SURAKKSHA, AGENT VINOD and GOPICHAND JASOOS…

Post WANTED, DABANGG and BODYGUARD, all Eid releases, Salman Khan and Yash Raj, the premier production house, unleash their first collaboration together, again on Eid. The Pied Piper of the Hindi film industry, who is on a dream run, delivering one Blockbuster after another, is expected to shatter previous records and set new ones at the box-office. 

Is EK THA TIGER at par/better than the previous Salman starrers? All I'd say is that the comparisons, though inevitable, are erroneous. As a standalone film, EK THA TIGER is enthralling and most significantly, an entertaining motion picture. On the exterior, it is a compelling love story/thriller. But beneath the entertainment that it offers, it carries a message as well. Loud and clear. If the spectators can see through the coating, great. Even if they don't, they will yet go back in high spirits. 

Let me clarify, EK THA TIGER is not a 'dark film'. No jingoism. No political statements. This is no James Bond duplication either. It reintroduces a megastar, who is at the pinnacle of his illustrious career, in a wholly new space. This one's made by a desi, with desi sensibilities, but targeting the desi audience as well as those beyond the shores of the country. So, there! 

In the dark world of intelligence and espionage, all information is guarded in the name of national security. But some stories escape the fiercely guarded classified files... 

In a government employees' neighbourhood in New Delhi, there lived a rugged, handsome and mysterious bachelor about whom his neighbours knew nothing. That was because he was India's top spy, an officer with the Research and Analysis Wing [RAW]. This man was known even in official corridors as Tiger [Salman Khan]. 

Tiger is sent on a relatively easy and safe mission to Dublin, Ireland to observe a scientist of Indian origin [Roshan Seth], who is suspected of sharing his research findings with the Pakistan defence establishment. Tiger attempts to meet the scientist, but is not successful. He tries to befriend the scientist's part-time home caretaker, Zoya [Katrina Kaif]. As Tiger begins to get closer to Zoya, he begins to discover his human side. For the first time in his life, Tiger falls in love... 

What follows is a tumultuous journey that Tiger and Zoya embark upon, battling the dark world of intelligence and espionage that forbids its soldiers from falling in love. 

Come to think of it, when you saunter into a cineplex to catch EK THA TIGER, what you want, more than anything else, is an adrenaline rush. Director Kabir Khan's take on a RAW agent is very close to real, but, at the same time, it's not a docu-drama. Nor is the agent a clone of Jason Bourne or James Bond. Like I pointed out at the outset, it's desi at heart. Also, clever, amusing and thoroughly entertaining. 

Kabir Khan's direction is thoughtful, focused and never goes off-track. In fact, EK THA TIGER takes the detective genre in Hindi movies to a fresh altitude. Besides, Kabir and co-writer Neelesh Mishra open the cards gradually and the highpoint is the interval point when Salman unravels something shocking. Post interval, the film throws one surprise after another and it reaches its crescendo in the concluding stages, with the climax making a solid impression. 

EK THA TIGER travels across the globe to capture some of the most exotic locales in the world and the DoP [Aseem Mishra] captures them with flourish. EK THA TIGER has a pleasant score [Sohail Sen, Sajid-Wajid]. 'Mashallah' is the pick of the lot, followed by 'Banjara' and 'Laapata'. The stunts are truly crackling. In fact, the action sequences are of the heart-in-the-mouth variety and if one may add, such stunts and chases have never ever been witnessed on the Hindi screen before. The dialogue is intelligent and sharp. 

Blemishes? Not really, but, yes, the leisurely unfurling of the love story in the first hour slackens the narrative occasionally. Since the sequences are so cute and the fact that the ones performing them are Salman and Katrina, one doesn't really mind it, actually. 

When you have Salman in a movie titled EK THA TIGER, the director doesn't need to convince the audience that he is a tiger. Salman looks the part! Clutching the thriller with his dynamic presence and performance, Salman is, without doubt, the lifeline of this film. He pulls off the part with flamboyance. Also, he brings in so much visceral rousing energy to the film, every time he appears on the screen. Salman and Katrina pair up after a hiatus in EK THA TIGER and their chemistry is electrifying. Though an out-and-out Salman starrer, Katrina is not relegated to the backseat. Neither is she Salman's arm candy here. She has a meaty part and to her credit, she handles it with aplomb. Also, watch out for her stunts... This is a new Katrina here! 

Girish Karnad is excellent. Ranvir Shorey is first-rate. His scenes with Salman are truly wonderful. Roshan Seth is adequate. 

On the whole, EK THA TIGER is a high-octane thriller that works big time. This one has style and substance, both, besides dazzling action, stunning international locales and stylish execution. Most importantly, it has Salman Khan, the trump card of this enterprise. There's no denying that Salman's charisma has resulted in a mind-blowing, astounding, never-seen-before start at the ticket window, but the film's content will sustain it thereafter. The film has long legs to prolong its splendid run. This is, without doubt, Salman's best. Sure shot Blockbuster!

Ek Tha Tiger Second Day (Thursday) Collection Update. Another Huge Day on Cards.

Ek Tha Tiger is sustaining well after a historic first day at the Indian box office. ETT has registered as usual drop after a National Holiday (Independence Day). ETT on Thursday has registered an occupancy of 55-60% on average for all India for the Morning and Noon shows. This is pretty good figure and specially since, Wednesday collected earth shattering collection with near about 95-100% occupancy all India. What is interesting still Housefull collection are registered in many plexes and single screens across all India. Heavy crowd is still pouring in many theatres all India.

ETT should pickup more for Evening and Night shows going by the advance booking report. It is too early to predict Second Day Collection of Ek Tha Tiger, but still going by the early trends Ek Tha Tiger is on its way to collect around 19-20 crore nett for the second day. Evening & night shows will predict whether it will collect less or more. A figure of 19-20 crore nett is never been achieved till now for a non-festive day or normal working day, it will be praiseworthy if Ek Tha Tiger can achieve that.

http://www.addatoday.com/2012/08/ek-tha-tiger-second-day-thursday.html?m=1

EK THA TIGER First Day Box Office Report

Ek Tha Tiger collected a phenomenal 31.25 crore nett on day one. The film may would have collected 75 lakhs more but some centres were closed due to various events listed below. The first day distributor share was amazing as it crossed 19 crore. The first day territorial breakdown is as follows.

Mumbai – 11.48 crore

Delhi/UP – 6.45 crore

East Punjab – 2.76 lakhs

West Bengal – 1.47 crore

Bihar – 45 lakhs

Assam – 5 lakhs

(Most parts of Assam was closed due to a bandh called by a local party)

Orissa – 30 lakhs

CP Berar – 1.61 crore

CI – 1.38 crore

Rajasthan – 1.76 crore

Nizam – 1.62 crore

(some centres in the Maharashtra side of the circuit were closed due to funeral of former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh)

Mysore – 1.55 crore

TNK – 35 lakhs

TOTAL – 31.23 crore

http://boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4793&nCat=